Only difference I noticed with my 3.5" lifted XJ when I put my rear DS back in is that the noise from my ****ty front pinion angle was gone lol

 

Guess I'll give the FWD a shot. I really don't want to deal with the hassle of returning parts. As soon as it gets warmer and I can get out of work for a while the Heep is going under the knife. Must admit I'm looking forward to taking a redneck run around the neighborhood with 4.5" lift, long arms and 32"s on the front with stock saggy leafs and 235's on the rear just for ****s and giggles.
Sans rear drive shaft of course.

 

 

I do get torque steer, but it's only bad if I gun it from a stop

 

Trying to find a decent lift on a bit of a budget right now. So far it's only looking like the Rough Country 3" and 4.5" kits. Are there any kits that are better and or similarly priced?

And maybe it's just the tires, but neither of those kits really appear to lift the XJ all that much. Am I wrong on that?

 

Almost any kit on the market is better than the Rough Country 4.5", and I don't like any of their others, either.


If you're on a budget, look into junkyard lift parts and bastard pack springs. If you want some ride quality with your lift, save up and look at Rubicon Express, Zone Offroad, or Iron Rock Offroad

 

You are right the pictures don't look like they lift much, but I can tell you first hand that a 3" lift does make a noticeable difference. I did a 3" Zone lift in the fall and to my eye it made a big difference in the height of my XJ. It could be that I am just short though

 

Most people don't consider that lifts are measured compared to stock height. Most XJs are sagging 2-3" due to age, so a 3" or 4.5" lift can easily add 6" of height to an individual vehicle.

 

Mine actually wasn't sagging, the PO had replaced the springs, but not the shocks Even odder was that there were 2 different types of shocks on it

While 4" doesn't sound like much if I stand beside someone that is 6' tall that 4" looks huge The good thing about being shorter is I can fit in places tall people can't, and if something is out of my reach I can get a ladder. They don't make shrink rays for tall people to get into those tight places

 

do you think that getting the "stock" dorman leaf packs with the 3in add a leafs from zone offroad would give me about 3 inches of lift, i am not wanting to spend the money on a sye, but since my stock leafs sit about as straight as a board right now maybe just some new OEM leafs with an add a leaf would be a better choice?

 

I don't understand. Why would you do that instead of new 3" leaf springs?

 

because ive heard that the rough country leafs are garbage, the 3.5 in rubicon express leafs give way too much lift, and i havent heard of a really good lift that gives about 3in that includes shocks that is below 500 bucks. or right around there.
EDIT- oops. I'm a knucklehead. zone offroad sells full leafs packs for 3in

 

That's because there is no really good lift that gives 3" with shocks for $500.


An add a leaf supports the full weight of the vehicle and absorbs all bumps using one incredibly firm, highly arched leaf on each side of the rear end. The ride quality is atrocious, they don't flex, and they don't last. Putting one in a new stock pack is just as bad as putting one in an old stock pack.


Look into building a bastard pack if you're willing to do some work putting it together. You can use Dakota, Durango, or S10 leaf springs bolted to your main leaf in order to give you lift. It's like building a whole new pack of AALs, it's cheap, and it lasts because the springs are already worn out.


Edit: I see the 3" Zone kit is $510, and I do like their products. However, a proper 3" lift kit also needs a trackbar (double shear recommended) and sway bar disconnects. I also recommend longer brake lines, but you can relocate the stock lines at that height.

 

 

I went with the Zone 3" AAL because the PO had already replaced the springs, but I had no idea with what and what sort of lift. I had hoped to be able to just use the front springs and all 4 shocks, but the front was too high without using the AAL in the rear. The ride is a bit stiff unloaded, but if I put some weight and a full tank of gas in it it rides fine

Don't count on not needing a SYE or at the minimum a TC drop. I haven't measured what my actual lift gain was, wanted it to settle in a bit first, but I had some bad vibs on acceleration and deceleration. I did a TC drop to get me through till I can do a proper SYE in the spring, once it gets bellow 32°F I don't do anything more than what I have to outside